Nowadays, it seems as if everyone has been having cosmetic dental work done. We are all very observant and sometimes critical of each other's smiles. I, for one, had a very large gap between my two front teeth as a child as a result of missing two teeth. I was always very self-conscious of this. It wasn't until I had it fixed that I could truly smile with confidence.

As I get older, I find myself routinely trying to take better care of my body. Whether that be my skin, my hair or my teeth.

Do you brush your teeth at least twice a day? Dental professionals tell us we should really be brushing after every meal. I'm not going to lie and say that I brush after every meal as it can be quite inconvenient given the amount of times I eat per day... BUT, I do brush thoroughly every morning and night.

Then comes everyone’s favourite question: do you floss daily? Because we all know you should be. I know everyone hates to floss but it really is going to benefit you in the long run. As you know, flossing removes plaque and bacteria that you just can't get with your tooth brush.

Alongside daily care, you should be visiting your dentist at least twice a year for a regular check up and deep cleaning. This preventative maintenance reduces the risk of painful root canals and other invasive procedures.

You should be using toothpaste that includes fluoride and limiting the amount of sugary foods consumed because your mom was right! Too many sweets can actually rot your teeth.

I'm proud to say that I haven't had a cavity or filling for the past 15 years and that can definitely be attributed to my regular visits to the dentist, as well as my daily dental routine.

If a clean mouth isn’t enough to persuade you to maintain your oral health, maybe this will. Most people don't know that oral health affects more than just your mouth and smile. Keeping up with your dental routine can mitigate the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and diabetes.

Check out YourOralHealth.ca for more information on oral health and to find a dental professional to help you with your oral health routine.